Chris Ramsey insists QPR will do everything in their power to keep Matt Phillips at the club next season.

Head coach Ramsey is resigned to losing top scorer Charlie Austin this summer, who is expected to join Newcastle, Southampton or West Ham United following his England call-up.

Ramsey does not want the double whammy of losing Phillips, who was Rangers’ stand-out performer during the second half of last season’s ill-fated Premier League campaign with three goals and eight assists to his name. As of yet Rangers have received no firm offers for the former Blackpool winger although West Brom have shown an interest, and Ramsey hopes it stays that way but is far from convinced it will.

Ramsey told the Brent & Kilburn Times: ’Matty’s a great boy with an excellent attitude towards the game and someone who is always willing to work.

‘You always want to have those type of people at your football club, but on top of that he’s been in outstanding form ever since I took over.

‘I’d be very surprised between now and the end of the window if Premier League clubs didn’t come in for him, but we’re going to fight tooth and nail to keep him here if we can.

‘He’d be a key player for us in the Championship, and is someone that would get into double figures for goals and assists, so he’s one we’re really keen to hold on too.’

However, Ramsey did concede that the decision on Phillips’ future is ultimately out of his hands, and if a suitable offer did come in for the 24-year-old, who Rangers paid £5million for back in August 2013, it would be one the board would have to strongly consider in light of the club’s current financial position.

He added: ‘It’s one of those waiting games now with Matty. I’m sure the owners would have to listen to any offer that came in for him which was deemed reasonable.

‘Although I’m sure they’d be looking for a figure which is more than what they paid for him though, as he’s proven himself at the highest level and that stands for a lot at the end of the day.

‘We don’t want to sell Matty, but sometimes clubs have to sell off their prized assets to move forward. And our main priority more than anything has got to be getting our finances sorted out.’

An 80-year-old grandmother was called a “f***ing bitch” in a “foul outburst” by her alleged murderer months before she was strangled with a lawnmower cord in a Colindale allotment shed, the Old Bailey heard today.